Hornets Snap Seven-Game Losing Streak

By ESPN

Someone's streak was going to continue Tuesday. The Charlotte Hornets were simply happy it wasn't them as they snapped a seven-game losing streak and held onto a 111-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Charlotte (24-28) had not won since a Jan. 21 triumph over Brooklyn. The Nets (9-43) dropped their 10th straight, and still have not won since a Jan. 20 victory at New Orleans.

"We needed that game," Charlotte forward Nicolas Batum said. "We're back home. We need to protect our home court and we needed to win that game."

Batum, Kemba Walker and Marco Belinelli each had 17 points to lead the Hornets as seven players scored in double-digits in a game where Charlotte's lead ballooned to as many as 17 points in the second quarter thanks to a quick start.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 22 points and Brook Lopez added 20 for the Nets.

Jeremy Lamb tallied 16 points for the Hornets, while center Frank Kaminsky recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

"We dug ourselves a big hole in the first half," Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson said. "Again, it was kind of a similar story -- turnovers hurt us."

The Nets tallied 18 turnovers, which resulted in 18 Hornets points.

"Turnovers are killing us because it allows them to have too many easy layups," said Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic. "Everybody talks about defense, but I think also we have to start with the offense to limit turnovers."

In Brooklyn's last four games, the Nets are averaging 19.5 turnovers per game.

In this game, the Hornets pulled away early, using a 10-0 run in the first quarter to take a 14-4 advantage with 5:28 left in that period. In all, Brooklyn scored just 16 first-quarter points compared to Charlotte's 24. Only the Nets' 14-point first quarter on Jan. 21 was a smaller opponent output for the Hornets this season.

But the Nets continued to attack, scoring nearly as many points in each the third and fourth quarters (35 each) as they scored in the entire first half (37). The Nets sliced Charlotte's lead to 91-87 with 6:11 remaining when Joe Harris knocked in a 23-foot jumper.

Charlotte, however, countered with quick baskets from Marvin Williams and Belinelli to give the needed cushion.

"Winning in this league is hard," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "We struggled to guard them, but we needed a win and that's the most important thing."

Charlotte's All-Star guard Walker caused a small scare when he doubled-over from an elbow to the face by Harris as he drove to the basket with 1:45 left in the first quarter. Walker immediately came out of game and was tended to on the bench by medical staff.

He returned to the contest with 7:29 left in the second quarter.

Tuesday, February 7 Scoreboard

Charlotte 111, Brooklyn 107

Houston 128, Orlando 104

Portland 114, Dallas 113

Wednesday, February 8 Schedule (All Times Central)

San  Antonio at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Cleveland at Indiana, 6 p.m.

Washington at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.

Denver at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Miami at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Phoenix at Memphis, 7 p.m.

Utah at New Orleans, 7 p.m.

Toronto at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Los Angeles Clippers at New York, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.

Boston at Sacramento, 9:30 p.m.